# Meeting Events

Meeting: `c21_kndnwsi.stephenson_county_il_planning_development_committee_meeting_4-6-26`

Meeting date: `2026-04-06`

Meeting type: `planning_development_committee`

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

## Decisions and Votes

- **Approval of the agenda** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve the agenda.
  - **Evidence:** “All in favour say aye. Aye.”
  - **Evidence:** “Aye. Motion carries.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=59s)

- **Approval of minutes from March 9th, 2026** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve the minutes from March 9th, 2026.
  - **Evidence:** “Motion to approve. Motion and second.”
  - **Evidence:** “All in favour say aye. Aye. Opposed? I believe. Aye. Motion carries.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=41s)

- **Approval of planning development expenses** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve planning development expenses for $550.89.
  - **Evidence:** “Evening for planning development to $550 and 89 cents. Motion to approve. Second.”
  - **Evidence:** “All in favor. Aye. Motion carries as well.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=49s)

- **Granting of event permit** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to grant the permit.
  - **Evidence:** “All those in favor of granting the permit, signify by saying aye.”
  - **Evidence:** “Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [59:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3566s)

- **Adjournment** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to adjourn.
  - **Evidence:** “No. Motion to adjourn? So moved.”
  - **Evidence:** “Second. Aye.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=4030s)

## Procedural Actions

- **Meeting opening and agenda approval**
  - **Summary:** The meeting was opened with a prayer, followed by the approval of the agenda.
  - **Evidence:** “We're in the meeting of planning, development, and community for April 6th, 2026. Dale, would you like to open us with an order? Sure. Thank you. Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing this group together tonight to do the best of work for the county. Thank you for all the blessings and watching over our county and citizens and guide us through this meeting. May we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Amen. We have approval of the agenda.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=0s)

- **Minutes approval**
  - **Summary:** Discussion moved to minutes from March 9th, 2026.
  - **Evidence:** “On to the minutes from March 9th, 2026.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=29s)

- **Claims review**
  - **Summary:** Discussion moved to claims.
  - **Evidence:** “On to claims.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=49s)

- **Public comment conclusion**
  - **Summary:** The body concluded the public comment period.
  - **Evidence:** “With that, we'll move on to reports to the committee. Well, we can start with the Mayor-President, Ms. Anderson.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [04:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=273s)

- **Workforce Initiatives meeting notice**
  - **Summary:** The speaker inquired about the previous invitation sent for the Workforce Initiatives meeting on Wednesday.
  - **Evidence:** “I got notified of this I think a week ago Tuesday, was there a previous invitation sent?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [26:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1564s)

## Projects

- **Mill Race Crossing RFIs**
  - **Summary:** The group submitted mill race crossing for two Requests for Information (RFIs) issued by Illinois EDC, continuing to market the location despite utility challenges due to ample land and great access.
  - **Evidence:** “We've submitted mill race crossing for two RFIs that were issued by Illinois EDC. We continue to market that location to logistics companies knowing that it still has the challenges of limited utility, but it does have ample land and it has great access to money.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [16:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=979s)

## Presentations and Reports

- **Hotel recruitment efforts for Freeport and Stevenson PGM**
  - **Summary:** The Mayor-President presented data showing consistent hotel occupancy of 70% or higher at three key hotels (Country Inn and Suites, Hampton, and the Baymont), suggesting support for additional hotel development. She also noted a lack of a hotel complex with conference space to host regional/statewide conferences.
  - **Evidence:** “I'm going to pass a couple of articles out to you and walk you through these and then just provide some general updates. But the first thing you see is kind of an outline of efforts and methodology in targeting hotel recruitment are Freeport and Stevenson PGM. So since the partnerships inception, we've been tracking occupancy data of the three most consistently run hotels, Country Inn and Suites, Hampton, and the Baymont. What we do know is that consistently our occupancy is 70% or higher. That's even during the midweek where we have a lot of business travel. So that leads us to believe that our area would support another hotel development. Obviously with that would bring the opportunity for additional hotel tax, sales revenue, support of our tourism and events, which aligns very closely with some of the other things that are happening in the area, especially thinking of Highland and their addition and support facilities and the opportunities that come along with that with potential tournaments that could be hosted here. So and the other thing that we will personally and professionally, we hear amongst businesses and we ourselves, we don't have a hotel complex that helps an event center or a conference center which really limits our ability to host any regional or statewide conferences at different associations.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=336s)

- **Attracting flagship hotel with conference space**
  - **Summary:** The goal is to attract another flagship hotel with conference space, and the committee is exploring data aggregation and potential sites. Funding options include examining STAR bonds, a new Illinois state program similar to a TIF district that uses sales tax generation.
  - **Evidence:** “So it would be our goal to try to attract another flagship hotel with conference space. So we're looking at the process of what what data that we need to start aggregating as well as potential sites that we could try to vet. We're also exploring different funding options to make that enticing to a developer. Star bonds is something that we are broadly examining. This is a new program the state of Illinois has put out and it's really around development similar to a TIF district, except in fact, it doesn't work with property tax that works with sales tax generation.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [06:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=378s)

- **STAR bonds process timeline**
  - **Summary:** The STAR bond program requires due diligence; an inquiry letter would be sent to the state mid-year, leading to a formal application at the end of 2026 for state evaluation.
  - **Evidence:** “And it's developed with a geography or it's outlined in geography, a specific geographic area that you're trying to target to build an event center. The idea is really trying to attract people from outside the area for tourism related events. So we're still doing the due diligence, learning more about the program and seeing if there would be a location that would make sense. It's a long process with the state. Again, they're developing, this is a new program that they currently don't have, so there would be a letter of inquiry that we would send to the state if we were interested in the middle of the year. Then that puts us in line to file a formal application that would be, that would happen at the end of 2026 and that the state would evaluate.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=459s)

- **Midland CEO program**
  - **Summary:** The Mayor-President mentioned the Midland CEO program as creating entrepreneurship opportunities.
  - **Evidence:** “The second one, the flyer that you see, and this is, I've mentioned this before, this is the Midland CEO program. So it's creating entrepreneurship opportunities.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=491s)

- **Midland CEO program development**
  - **Summary:** The Midland CEO program is being developed as a chapter in Freeport in conjunction with Freeport High School and is targeted towards juniors and seniors.
  - **Evidence:** “So it's creating entrepreneurship opportunities. And this is a program that we didn't originate, but we're trying to develop a chapter or we are developing a chapter here in Freeport in conjunction with Freeport High School. School.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=491s)

- **Midland CEO program structure and goals**
  - **Summary:** The year-long class involves working with local businesses for mentorship, understanding business development, building relationships, and developing both group and individual businesses, culminating in a trade show.
  - **Evidence:** “And it's really, they undergo, it's a year-long class, credit hour class. And they work with local businesses to be mentored, to understand what it takes to develop a business, build relationships with existing businesses, to develop their own business, and both as a group and then an individual.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=522s)

- **Midland CEO program benefits**
  - **Summary:** The program is at no cost to the district or students because it is supported by the community, specifically the business community, helping develop entrepreneurial skills and interpersonal skills.
  - **Evidence:** “This is a program that is at no cost to the district or the students that are involved because it is facilitated and designed to be supported by the community, specifically the business community.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [09:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=582s)

- **Opportunity Zone status and process**
  - **Summary:** The Opportunity Zone incentive was created federally in 2017, and states review eligible census tracts based on criteria like household income and poverty rate. Freeport has two existing Opportunity Zones set to expire and a total of five eligible census tracts.
  - **Evidence:** “So this is another incentive zone that was really created by the Department of Revenue at the federal level in 2017. The initial program is set to expire this year. Each state is going through a process of reviewing eligible census tracts. Census tracts are eligible based upon household income, criteria, poverty rate, et cetera. We have a number of census tracts in Freeport that qualify. We have two currently in the existing Opportunity Zone that's set to expire. We have a total of five eligible census tracts.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=653s)

- **Workforce Initiative Event Details**
  - **Summary:** A workforce initiative event is scheduled for Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 9 AM to discuss workforce alignment issues with business and educational leaders.
  - **Evidence:** “We have a workforce initiative event this Wednesday morning from 730 to 9 AM I encourage any of you, if you're able to attend, we have reached out to our partnership level members to have a heavy conversation with business leaders and educational leaders to talk about our workforce alignment issues.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [14:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=861s)

- **Community Tours for Recruitment**
  - **Summary:** The group offers community tours for VP level recruitment for employers.
  - **Evidence:** “Alongside that effort, we do offer community tours for VP level recruitment for employers.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=933s)

- **Base Camp Pitch Competition**
  - **Summary:** The group will culminate Base Camp at the end of the month with a Pitch Competition, supported by a grant from the Illinois Farm Bureau.
  - **Evidence:** “Last but not least, we will culminate Base Camp at the end of this month with our Pitch Competition. We are very appreciative from the Illinois Farm Bureau for receiving a grant to help support that program and the Pitch Competition Awards.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [16:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=998s)

- **Financial deposits and case closures (March)**
  - **Summary:** The financial report detailed total deposits to date ($135,030.97), March deposits ($11,566.78), three court enforcement violations issued in March, two cases closed, and one pending.
  - **Evidence:** “This is a deposit for the month of March totaled $11,566.78 total deposits to date to the general fund are $135,030.97. $30.97. We issued three court enforcement violations for the month of March. We closed two of the cases and one is pending.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [27:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1646s)

- **Inspections and paperwork completion (March)**
  - **Summary:** Nicole performed nine inspections, while the speaker confirmed 12 inspections for the month. Nicole also completed records disposal paperwork.
  - **Evidence:** “Nicole performed nine inspections. I confirmed 12 for the month. Nicole completed the records disposal paperwork for the secretary of state.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [27:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1666s)

- **Property maintenance review meeting**
  - **Summary:** The speaker met with Ms. Newcomer and Carrie McBride to discuss county involvement in cleanup efforts if a property owner fails to maintain their property.
  - **Evidence:** “Ms. Newcomer and I met with Carrie McBride of Diamond Brothers Insurance to discuss a situation involving a property owner's failure to maintain their property and to evaluate whether to and what to extent the county should be involved in cleanup efforts if the property does not comply following the administrative hearing.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1708s)

## Discussion

- **Quarry compliance status**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding why Mr. Jeffrey continues to operate without full compliance despite previous notices.
  - **Evidence:** “Beth, as Mr. Jeffrey complied with the county's conditional use permit requirements listed in and the violation notice stated January 20th of 26th. Again, it's been a year since the quarry activities were brought to the county's attention. Why is Mr. Jeffrey continually allowed to operate without compliance? I don't think we can answer that tonight.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [03:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=226s)

- **Opportunity Zone investment mechanism**
  - **Summary:** The Opportunity Zone fund allows investors to forego or defer capital gains tax depending on how long they hold the investment in the property or project.
  - **Evidence:** “Census Opportunity Zone is really outside of any property tax or sales tax. It developed a qualified opportunity zone fund that allows somebody to, they invest in that fund, they can forego some capital gains tax or defer that capital gains tax, depending on how long they hold that investment in that property or that project.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=729s)

- **Enterprise Zone boundary expansion applications**
  - **Summary:** Work continues on enterprise zone boundary expansion applications for the Village of Lena and AutoSmart.
  - **Evidence:** “Additionally, we continue to work on enterprise zone boundary expansion applications for the Village of Lena and AutoSmart.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=814s)

- **Freeport parcel list development**
  - **Summary:** The group is in the beginning stages of working with the City of Freeport to develop a parcel list for potential inclusion in the enterprise zone to facilitate residential development.
  - **Evidence:** “We are also in the beginning stages working with the City of Freeport developing a parcel list to talk about potential parcels to be added into the enterprise zone to help facilitate residential development.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=821s)

- **County board updates and outreach**
  - **Summary:** The partnership is meeting with all village boards throughout Stephenson County to provide an update on 2025 annual activities, present the annual report, answer questions, and hear about community happenings.
  - **Evidence:** “The partnership is going through a meeting with all of the village boards throughout Stephenson County, kind of giving them an update on the 2025 annual activities that went on, giving them our annual report, answering any questions they might have, and you know, hear what's going on in their community.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=837s)

- **Workforce initiative event**
  - **Summary:** A workforce initiative event is scheduled for Wednesday morning from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM to discuss workforce alignment issues with business and educational leaders.
  - **Evidence:** “We have a workforce initiative event this Wednesday morning from 730 to 9 AM I encourage any of you, if you're able to attend, we have reached out to our partnership level members to have a heavy conversation with business leaders and educational leaders to talk about our workforce alignment issues.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [14:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=861s)

- **Marketing Career Laddering Opportunities**
  - **Summary:** Manufacturers often have great career laddering opportunities but are not always discussing this with recruits or prospects, suggesting help is needed on marketing this better.
  - **Evidence:** “But one of the other things that we're identifying is when we talk to businesses, a lot of, especially our manufacturers, have great career laddering opportunities, but they're often not talking about that to their recruits or to their prospects.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=909s)

- **Mercy Health and FHN Physician Recruitment Storytelling**
  - **Summary:** Mercy Health has been heavily involved in physician recruitment using the group to tell the story of the community from the perspective of newcomers.
  - **Evidence:** “They have been very heavy handed in their physician recruitment, which is exciting to see. And we are excited they're utilizing us to tell the story of our community, being the fact that many of them are newer to the community themselves, and may not be super familiar.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=947s)

- **Empty Trailer Park Lots and School District Enrollment**
  - **Summary:** The concern about empty lots was linked to the Pearl City School District losing its census population from residents who lived in a trailer park on Stevenson Street Road.
  - **Evidence:** “The reason this came up is I was talking to somebody about the Pearl City School District losing its census. And all the children that lived in the one on Stevenson Street Road went to Pearl City Schools.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1092s)

- **Challenges with Mobile Home Park Maintenance**
  - **Summary:** A contributing factor to issues in mobile home parks was often difficulty getting the facility owner to perform necessary maintenance work.
  - **Evidence:** “Part of it had to do with Stevenson Estates was that it was always a problem getting There's always a problem getting the owner of the facility to do the maintenance work.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1192s)

- **Use of Land Behind Sullivan's**
  - **Summary:** The land behind Sullivan's was previously used for workers who brought in their own mobile homes while a pipeline was being installed.
  - **Evidence:** “And I know the one out behind Sullivan's was used for, they were doing the pipeline through here. I was used for the workers that had their own mobile Homes that they brought in.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [20:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1259s)

- **Local housing market and employment statistics**
  - **Summary:** Discussion covered local real estate values, open job numbers (around 1100), unemployed numbers (around 900), and data delays regarding unemployment information.
  - **Evidence:** “We've been looking at the numbers over several years and the open jobs seems to maintain a, you know, right around 1100 and the unemployed is right around 900 and those two numbers should just equal, you know, write themselves off, you know, in a perfect world.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [20:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1259s)

- **Unemployment data reporting delay**
  - **Summary:** The speaker noted that unemployment information was delayed due to the shutdown, expecting January data on April 8th.
  - **Evidence:** “I should get Januaries on April 8th, but yes, I was just looking at this before tonight's meeting.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [22:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1375s)

- **Local workforce development and graduate retention**
  - **Summary:** Discussion focused on making the transition for graduates into the local workforce easier, noting opportunities like training provided by local manufacturers.
  - **Evidence:** “And how are we making that on-ramp as easy as possible? Because there are some really fantastic opportunities here that you can start and make a very decent hourly wage.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1453s)

- **Hotel leakage data sources**
  - **Summary:** The speaker mentioned tracking hotel leakage using cell phone data (LASER) and purchased STR data.
  - **Evidence:** “We have some information from a software we call LASER and that tracks via cell phone. We also have a call or we've purchased some STR data”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1558s)

- **Records disposal paperwork status**
  - **Summary:** Nicole completed the records disposal paperwork for the secretary of state and is awaiting final approval to start the disposal process.
  - **Evidence:** “Nicole completed the records disposal paperwork for the secretary of state. We met with Ms. Hummel on the 31st to review the paperwork. We are now awaiting our final approval, which will allow then allow us to start the disposal process properly.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1684s)

- **Property cleanup evaluation at 26 North**
  - **Summary:** Nicole and Ms. Newcomer met with Carrie McBride of Diamond Brothers Insurance regarding a property owner's failure to maintain their property at 26 North, discussing county involvement in clean up efforts.
  - **Evidence:** “Ms. Newcomer and I met with Carrie McBride of Diamond Brothers Insurance to discuss a situation involving a property owner's failure to maintain their property and to evaluate whether to and and what to extent the county should be involved in cleanup efforts if the property does not comply following the administrative hearing. This would be the property on 26 North.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1708s)

- **Insurance carrier recommendation for property cleanup**
  - **Summary:** The insurance carrier advised cleaning up the property and attempting to recover costs from the homeowner, stating this mitigates further risks.
  - **Evidence:** “Ms. McWright did receive guidance from the insurance carrier. They stated it would be a good idea to go ahead and clean up the property and to try to recover the cost from the homeowner. It was stated this mitigates further risks and that they are generally seen with uncapped properties in addition to removing an eyesore and doing the right thing for the community.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1727s)

- **Legal options for property cleanup documentation**
  - **Summary:** It was recommended to document everything, with options being hiring a third-party attorney or having the County handle it.
  - **Evidence:** “It was recommended we document everything as well. The County can hire a third party attorney or we can take this on ourselves.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1750s)

- **Zoning office attorney recommendation for violation notices and hearing**
  - **Summary:** Eric Borneman, the zoning office attorney, recommends continuing to send out violation notices because non-compliance is likely, followed by another administrative hearing.
  - **Evidence:** “I also spoke with Eric Borneman, our zoning office attorney and he recommends continuing to send out the violation notices more than likely this individual will not comply, have another administrative hearing.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1758s)

- **Foreclosure judgment recommendation**
  - **Summary:** Eric Borneman is looking into a judgment of foreclosure on the property given the existing $60,000 lien.
  - **Evidence:** “And he also is looking into a judgment of foreclosure on the property since we already have the $60,000 lead on it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1782s)

- **Data center conference seminar attendance and topics**
  - **Summary:** Nicole attended an annual IFSM Illinois Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Management two-day conference in Champaign.
  - **Evidence:** “I attended the annual IFSM Illinois Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Management two-day conference in Champaign.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1684s)

- **Road use agreement discussion with Sheriff Stovall**
  - **Summary:** Nicole met with Sheriff Stovall to discuss a road use agreement related to wind, solar, and energy storage projects, following the township road commissioners meeting.
  - **Evidence:** “Mayor Hilton Springfield on data centers and Nicole and I met with Sheriff Stovall to discuss a road use agreement related to wind, solar and energy storage projects. He attended the township road commissioners meeting that was last week where an agreement was discussed. So he came in and talked to Nicole and I about that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1791s)

- **Question regarding foreclosure timing vs cleanup**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised asking why foreclosure wouldn't be pursued before cleanup, or why cleanup would occur if the county is not the owner.
  - **Evidence:** “Why wouldn't we pursue foreclosure before we clean up and why would we clean up if we're not the owner of the property?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [30:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1808s)

- **Attorney recommendation for additional hearing**
  - **Summary:** The attorney recommended having one more hearing to secure a judgment.
  - **Evidence:** “And according to our attorney, he recommended having one more hearing to get that on the books so we can have that as a judgment as well.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [30:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1831s)

- **Process for property cleanup before action**
  - **Summary:** The process requires sending out all formal letters and going through a long procedure before any cleanup can occur.
  - **Evidence:** “Oh, definitely. We have to have, I have to send out all the formal letters and everything. So there's the whole long process we have to go through.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [31:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1861s)

- **Winslow junkyard inquiry**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding a junkyard in Winslow, which Nicole stated is not her territory but belongs to an incorporated village.
  - **Evidence:** “but what about the junkyard that's in the middle of Winslow? You ever hear anybody talk about that? Winslow is not my territory, unfortunately, and yes, I tried to help them out. I mean, it's Stephenson County. They're incorporated. The village has got it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [31:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1881s)

- **Previous assistance attempt for Winslow junkyard**
  - **Summary:** Nicole previously sent a letter off the books to Mr. Kramer regarding cleanup efforts in Winslow.
  - **Evidence:** “I have also reached out to my office and I helped them two years ago. Ago, I sent Mr. Kramer a letter off the books stating, you know, I've been asked by the village of Winslow to help out and he did clean up some, but he brought just much as much back as he did.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [31:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1899s)

- **Authority limitations on incorporated property cleanup**
  - **Summary:** Nicole stated that even with new statutes regarding dangerous buildings, the county cannot intervene in incorporated areas; the health department would have been able to assist.
  - **Evidence:** “So unfortunately I can't anything that's incorporated even with the new statute that we have the new code that the dangerous buildings and such, we can't touch incorporated health department would have been able”
  - **Source timestamp:** [31:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1907s)

- **Data center seminar research findings**
  - **Summary:** The attorney presented information on codes for data centers, specifically regarding closed-loop systems using water.
  - **Evidence:** “So he was more or less telling us how we should and what we should include in our codes that like the closed loop systems only use that amount of water.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [32:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1972s)

- **AI and Data Center Water Concerns**
  - **Summary:** A speaker noted growing community concern over AI and data centers regarding water usage, mentioning different types of water contact.
  - **Evidence:** “But then the question always comes up as we talk about AI. We need, if we're going to continue to expand AI, the data centers are going to be an issue that I have to deal with... But I think we've gotten, not just our community, but I think we've gotten communities in general concerned over AI and at this point, other than those areas down around DeKalb and some of the other areas out east where there's a lot more of them built or in process of being built is,”
  - **Source timestamp:** [34:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2065s)

- **Property form acquisition timeline**
  - **Summary:** Acquiring property forms for potential development would take approximately 10 years from the current stage.
  - **Evidence:** “I already told you that I was solicited for looking at property form, If we're looking at it, it would take 10 years to get one from, think about it, stage here now until it was going.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [34:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2065s)

- **Data Center Power Generation Concerns**
  - **Summary:** Concerns were raised regarding power generation for data centers, noting that some areas are already out of the picture due to substation capacity limitations.
  - **Evidence:** “So then if they built more solar facilities, they're gonna sit there because they don't have a way to get in, plus they gotta pay the 2 million now that it is to get connected with ComEd, but that's gonna be our bigger concern is, how can they generate the power?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2158s)

- **Information Gathering for Energy Topics**
  - **Summary:** A request was made for any meetings, webinars, or information regarding solar, wind, energy storage, data centers, or zoning to be forwarded to ensure attendance and learning.
  - **Evidence:** “So any meetings, any webinars, anything that has to do with solar, wind, energy storage, data centers, zoning, anything, please shoot them my way. So I can attend, Nicole can attend, somebody in the office can attend so we can learn more.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2199s)

- **Soil and Water Conservation Studies for Data Centers**
  - **Summary:** Some counties and states are considering employing soil and water conservation districts to conduct water use studies for potential data center locations.
  - **Evidence:** “And I think, when you look at data centers is that some counties and some states are wanting to employ the soil and water conservation districts to do water use studies so that they can provide that information to those companies and to those counties that have the potential to have a significant portion of their water use for those type of facilities being built.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [37:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2231s)

- **Recreation and Trails Funding Discrepancy**
  - **Summary:** The committee discussed funding for the Jane Adams Trail, noting $16,500 was given when $20,000 was expected.
  - **Evidence:** “And I told them that with our financial situation, you know, 16.5 is what we thought we could afford.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [38:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2316s)

- **Financial Reporting Frequency for Entities**
  - **Summary:** A suggestion was made to request quarterly or monthly financial statements from other entities.
  - **Evidence:** “I wanted to ask, do you think we should be getting a monthly statement or a quarterly statement from the, I'm assuming we don't, I mean, I see them at the meetings, but do you want to see a financial statement from them quarterly or monthly?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [38:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2328s)

- **Trail Agreement Review**
  - **Summary:** The discussion touched upon reviewing agreements, noting that one was previously thought to be a three-year agreement.
  - **Evidence:** “I think we had a three-year agreement. So we just renewed it automatically that, I mean, if it's a three-year agreement- I think it does.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2401s)

- **Bridge Damage Assessment**
  - **Summary:** A bridge was damaged by a fallen tree, resulting in the loss of handrails but not the entire structure.
  - **Evidence:** “I had a tree fell over on a bridge and damaged the bridge, but they're getting that fixed up. Didn't take the bridge completely out, just took out some of the handrails and stuff.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2450s)

- **Bridge damage and responsibility for repair costs**
  - **Summary:** A speaker mentioned a tree falling on a bridge damaged some handrails but not the entire bridge structure, and suggested that responsibility for a portion of the expense might be shared among Sanford, Port Orangeville, and others.
  - **Evidence:** “I had a tree fell over on a bridge and damaged the bridge, but they're getting that fixed up. Didn't take the bridge completely out, just took out some of the handrails and stuff. They're getting that fixed bridge, aren't you? They didn't take out the bridge, just the handrails. Maybe leave with that next time. Sorry. I think we're responsible for a third of that expense. Sanford, Port Orangeville, and not us.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2450s)

- **Temporary use permit for Pearl City Historical Organization at Black Hawk Park**
  - **Summary:** The discussion centered on a request for a temporary use permit for the Pearl City Historical Organization to hold an event at Black Hawk Park.
  - **Evidence:** “So with that, we have new business, which is who will have a temporary use permit for the Pearl City Historical Organization for the use of black office parks.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [42:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2523s)

- **Pearl City Historical Organization fundraising event details**
  - **Summary:** The organization plans a one-day fundraiser called 'a day of history in the making' at Black Hawk Park, featuring vendors/classes teaching historical skills like rope making, rug making, blacksmithing (using charcoal), and other crafts. The event aims to fund expenses related to their new museum.
  - **Evidence:** “Well, what we would like to do is we're having a day of history in the making... I have talked to a lot of people because I didn't know we needed a permit before I started ALICE, but I'm going to have vendors come that will teach us skills of the past. Like there's going to be rope making. I have a rug making. I have a blacksmith coming and he's using charcoal because I've told all the people that are coming, there is no electric and there's only a hand pump. There's no water hookups or anything like that. Everything they have to provide themselves... We would like to use the Black Hawk Park because of the historical significance of it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [42:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2547s)

- **Specific activities planned for the historical event**
  - **Summary:** The event will feature various educational components, including quilt demonstrations by Jo Winslow, Civil War memorabilia from Dr. Domon, hand-dipped candle making, a demonstration involving greasing high-wheeled wagon wheels, wood carving demonstrations from Rock Valley Wood Carvers Group, and workshops on beadwork, Native American tools/weapons from Alan Harris, soap making with Nikki Keltner, and potential leatherworking or trapping demonstrations.
  - **Evidence:** “Jo Winslow is going to bring out a whole bunch of quilts and talk about her different quilt, maybe patterns... Dr. Domon from Lena has agreed to come with some of his Civil War memorabilia in medicine... We have a lady that's from my and my church, her, she and her family are going to teach us how to do hand-dipped candles... I said, Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't be greasing those before the event, because that's a big thing... I've contacted some wood carvers, they're coming, and the Rock Valley Wood Carvers Group is going to come... Kim McCleaver is going to do some Native American We also have Alan Harris. He's from Dixon. He's a teacher in Dixon and he's going to show Native American tools and weapons and spheres or life skills that were used back before the Indians even. And I have soap making. Nikki Keltner from the Extension Office wants to come.”

- **Event planning details and required vendors**
  - **Summary:** Discussion covered potential vendors for the event, including embroidery/needlepoint, leather workers, and fur traders with traps.
  - **Evidence:** “So we have some more embroidery and needlepoint maybe too. I haven't got a, I would sort of like to get someone that would work with leather so we can show, because that was an important thing back there, you know, all your horses and stuff like that. And also maybe a fur trader, I don't know, we've got some trappers around, they can maybe bring some traps and show, explain why they did it and things like that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [47:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2853s)

- **Trash disposal at the event site**
  - **Summary:** The organization confirmed they would handle trash disposal using trash cans provided by Girl City.
  - **Evidence:** “What about garbage? Trash cans from the, um, girl city, they've got a bunch of trash cans they said we can use. So we've got them. Your organization would handle? We would handle the trash.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [48:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2913s)

- **Monument area safety concerns**
  - **Summary:** A concern was raised regarding people climbing on the fence near the grave area.
  - **Evidence:** “I guess I'm only just concerned if you're going to have, well, there's a little fence there. Well, I just want to make sure that no one's climbing on it. Especially it's a grave area as well.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [48:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2913s)

- **Food vendors location**
  - **Summary:** Food trucks will be located outside in the original parking lot.
  - **Evidence:** “Food trucks, correct? We haven't asked them, but they will be on the outside in the original parking lot. We're going to have them there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [49:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2951s)

- **Blacksmith equipment and safety**
  - **Summary:** The blacksmith uses charcoal for heating and might have a bellows; he requires a five-gallon bucket of water, which can be filled from the pump.
  - **Evidence:** “A blacksmith, I looked at your certificate of liability, it's fairly vague, which is normal, but I'm assuming they're going to have pretty hot. He uses charcoal. He uses charcoal for his heating element, he doesn't have anything else. He might have a bellows though, to magnify it a little bit, but he's more into like. He wants to have like a five gallon bucket of water with him all the time, so and I said there's no problem, there's a pump there you can fill your five gallon bucket with him.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [49:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2981s)

- **Liability certificate requirements for county listing**
  - **Summary:** The county needs to be listed on the certificate of liability as an additional insured, and the address must be 50 West Douglas Street.
  - **Evidence:** “Any, yeah, any claims. The certificate of liability, the county does need to be listed on that as an additional insured. I got a new one, I think, I think this is the one that can be, it says Stephenson County and Black Hawk Monument. The address is the correct way, yes. You just need to list the address here, 50 West Douglas Street, not the monument itself. So Stephenson County needs to be listed with our address here, which I know I worked here.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [50:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3032s)

- **Event size expectations and purpose**
  - **Summary:** The event is anticipated to be huge but is in its first year; it aims to educate people about the monument and local history.
  - **Evidence:** “How many, have we ever had anybody this big here before? I don't know how big it's going to be. I like to think it's gonna be huge. But it's the first year. It's during the time, and Jake will be talking throughout the afternoon.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [51:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3084s)

- **Parking capacity and logistics**
  - **Summary:** There are three parking spots available, with enough space for about 30 cars in the main lot; vendors will park there, and attendees will use a separate area.
  - **Evidence:** “Well parking, so if it gets to be bigger than what you expect, I get that you have the field next to it, but we have three. We have three spots and one even on the north side of Kent where we'd have to help transport But we're going to have plenty of parking if it got big... And the vendors that are going to provide the items are all going to park in the main parking lot up here and none of the people that come to the police will park there. They will all park here. And there's enough cars for like 30 at the time.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3145s)

- **Transportation plan for attendees**
  - **Summary:** The plan involves a mock Kellogg's trail, with people walking or using electric carts, as nobody should walk on the roads.
  - **Evidence:** “Most people will walk and maybe for the elderly, you know, you got his cart Park. They'll take up through the trail and we'd have like, well, here you go, well, pretend Buffalo Grove, Polo and stuff like that. And you'd have little stops on the Kellogg's trail as it gets to things up here on your map.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3172s)

- **Event logistics and capacity concerns for county property use**
  - **Summary:** Concerns were raised regarding event logistics, including transportation since people cannot walk on the roads, and the expected attendance size (hoping for 150 at most).
  - **Evidence:** “The logistics, how to get them there from there. Because we don't want people walking. Nobody got to walk on the roads.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [54:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3250s)

- **Comparison of past event attendance**
  - **Summary:** A speaker recalled that when the Lincoln was dedicated, not many people were present, estimating maybe 50 people.
  - **Evidence:** “Were you there for when they dedicated the Lincoln? No, when they did the Lincoln, I was. How many people were there? Not many.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [54:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3281s)

- **Concerns about county property use and potential damage**
  - **Summary:** A speaker expressed concern that while an event sounds amazing, it is on county property, questioning if there is enough space and what happens if something gets damaged.
  - **Evidence:** “I'm sorry. I'm like, man, that's pretty, I mean, it sounds like a great event, but it's on the county property and, but I'll second. I've got a question. Why, what are you worried about the county property?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [55:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3308s)

- **Condition of park facilities**
  - **Summary:** Concerns were raised regarding the poor shape of benches at the shelter house and the ripped sign for Black Pocket.
  - **Evidence:** “The limits of liability is and what is there, the shelter house, which the benches are not in good shape and also This is something you could put on the agenda sometime. That sign that tells a black pocket is just ripped in pieces.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [55:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3326s)

- **Park infrastructure limitations for large events**
  - **Summary:** A speaker noted that the park was never designed for large events, lacking parking, water access, and having only outhouses.
  - **Evidence:** “I think this might be a good test to see the work was obviously never designed for something like this. Obviously, there's not parking, there's not water, there's not, I mean there's outhouses basically.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [56:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3399s)

- **Permitting process for public park events**
  - **Summary:** A speaker stated that they did not know a permit was required when organizing an event and learned about it after contacting the Greater Port Partnership.
  - **Evidence:** “My last question was when you signed up, did you ask in advance before or did you just say, oh, we're going to have it here? Did you reach out to the Stephenson County to say, hey, we want to have this and we're looking up? We didn't. I didn't know we even needed a permit.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3468s)

- **Potential use and cost analysis of an office building**
  - **Summary:** A discussion occurred regarding the potential use of a one-story office building, noting it has no maintenance issues but requires assessing build-out costs for county offices.
  - **Evidence:** “The reason it's on the agenda here is that we have this available we had a price of 250 on that. I'm sorry, 350 on that. The question is, are we even interested in pursuing this any further? Or maybe we should talk to them about, you know, are there other alternatives that they would have to make it less expensive for us?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:00:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3656s)

- **Future space planning assessment**
  - **Summary:** It was suggested that the county conduct an assessment of current utilized space (10th floor, 5th floor, storage) to plan for future needs and budget accordingly.
  - **Evidence:** “Ideally, I think what we looked at the on-trend and we currently have runs through 29 I've been talking to someone else about another building, but that's been very slow going. It's not even, it's hardly even worth mentioning, I guess, how slow it's going, but we probably need to do an assessment of what needs the 10th floor, the 5th floor, and our storage that we utilize here, what that actually is, and try to find a space, and maybe this is, maybe this works, find out what the build out would be, how much that would cost, and then plan for it in future budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:02:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3773s)

- **Building assessment needs and future planning**
  - **Summary:** The committee discussed the need to assess current utilization of space on the 10th floor, 5th floor, and storage areas to plan for future budgeting, acknowledging that a new building might be necessary.
  - **Evidence:** “we probably need to do an assessment of what needs the 10th floor, the 5th floor, and our storage that we utilize here, what that actually is, and try to find a space, and maybe this is, maybe this works, find out what the build out would be, how much that would cost, and then plan for it in future budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:03:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3790s)

- **Building infrastructure status**
  - **Summary:** The building has a new roof, basically new exterior, HVAC units less than five years old, and was designed with easy access for IT.
  - **Evidence:** “Well, we do know that the roof is new. Perfect. We do know that the exterior is basically new. We do know that the heating and air conditioning units are less than five years old.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:04:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3862s)

- **Current available space description**
  - **Summary:** The current space is described as an open room, with designated areas for conference rooms (three meeting rooms plus a larger board meeting space), adequate parking access from front and rear.
  - **Evidence:** “It's pretty open right now. I mean, it's an open room, except for the spaces on the outside where there would be rooms large enough for conference rooms, which I think there's three meeting rooms plus a room that would be large enough for a board to meet in, not this size, a bigger space than this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:04:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3895s)

## Public Comment

- **Quarry operations and environmental concerns at 466 West Fiery Road**
  - **Summary:** A resident expressed multiple concerns regarding the quarry's activities, including tree removal, unattended open burning violations (citing county ordinance 224-4B), improper water runoff rerouting, and general non-compliance with EPA regulations.
  - **Evidence:** “It's an update reference, Zach Jeffries Quarry located at 466 West Fiery Road Freeboard. The entire eastern length of that property borders my property. At the end of this month, it's been a year since I first expressed concerns to the zoning director. Per reference, Mr. Jeffries telling me his intentions for the quarry. Mr. Fricke, your interest in the issue is appreciated and you're welcome to come out again to update the photos you took from my property in mid-January. So much has changed in three months instead of planting trees as required Mr. Jeffrey has ripped out nearly all of the mature trees that had provided partial screening from the end of February into mid-March for two and a half weeks Mr. Jeffrey had not stopped unattended fires burning please refer to the county burning ordinance specifically 224-4B commercial trade waste which requires was him to use an air curtain incinerator instead of 24-7, unattended open burning. There's still an extremely large pile of logs on the Northeast section, very close to our shared property line. He put a whole bunch more brush there again today. He's also brought in multiple loads of logs and tree trunks from other locations. Over the past year he has had multiple fires on the property. Booster Jeffrey has dug and graded the northern portion rerouting water. The water runoff from the property east of me flows mostly through a drain tube under my lane and empties into this area. The water used to flow westward. It has been a large hunt until it parted with this excavated dirt and rock and widened its drive on the northern end rerouting the water flow. Mr. Jeffrey has been in violation of a number of EPA regulations. He should also be cited at the county level.”

- **Status of Trailer Parks in Freeport**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding the disappearance or decline of trailer parks in Freeport, citing specific examples like one on Stevenson Street Road being a quarter of its former size.
  - **Evidence:** “First one is, and this may have happened before your time, but what happened to the trailer parks in Freeport? Why are they, well, they mostly disappeared.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=1023s)

## Follow-ups

- **Opportunity Zone support efforts**
  - **Summary:** The speaker is working to educate developers and property owners on Opportunity Zones and gathering letters of support from public and private partners for submission to the state.
  - **Evidence:** “What I'm working to do is to talk to developers, potential developers, property owners, to educate them on the opportunity of what an Opportunity Zone could potentially do for their business or future investment. And to garner a letter of support, it will be a competitive selection process through the state to have our census tracts included.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [11:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=698s)

- **Mower servicing plan**
  - **Summary:** A speaker requested that someone relay information to Wally and Chadley regarding an end-of-year plan for the mower and horses.
  - **Evidence:** “If you can relay that, maybe to Wally and Chadley.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [41:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=2505s)

- **Space assessment follow-up action**
  - **Summary:** George will put together an assessment of the needs for the 10th floor and 5th floor, determining required space sizes.
  - **Evidence:** “I would have George and put together some sort of assessment for the needs for the 10th floor and the 5th floor, figure out the space size wise.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:06:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21_kndNwsI&t=3971s)